Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 86

Devanagari script

तथागतं तु तं दृष्ट्वा धनेशं नरवाहनम् खड्गास्त्रो निरृतिर्देवो निशाचरबलानुगः //

Transliteration

tathāgataṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā dhaneśaṃ naravāhanam khaḍgāstro nirṛtirdevo niśācarabalānugaḥ //

Translation

Namun apabila melihat Dhanēśa (Kubera) yang datang ke sana menunggang seorang manusia, dewa Nirṛti—bersenjata pedang—maju ke hadapan, diiringi bala tentera makhluk pengembara malam.

Word by Word

• tathāgatam: having thus come/arrived there

• tu: but/indeed

• tam: him

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• dhaneśam: Dhanēśa, the Lord of Wealth (Kubera)

• naravāhanam: one whose vehicle/mount is a man (riding a man-bearer)

• khaḍga-astraḥ: whose weapon is a sword

• nirṛtiḥ: Nirṛti (deity of the southwest, often linked with destruction/misfortune)

• devaḥ: the god

• niśācara-bala-anugaḥ: followed by the army/host of niśācaras (night-wanderers—rakṣasas/spirits)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice in Purāṇic recitation; verse is descriptive narration rather than direct speech)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhanēśa (Kubera)
• Nirṛti
• Niśācaras (night-roamers)

Tags

• Deities
• Battle
• Lokapālas
• Southwest (Nirṛti)
• Rakṣasa-forces

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse is not about pralaya; it depicts a conflict scene where Nirṛti, associated with destruction and the southwest direction, moves with night‑roaming forces against Kubera.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic theme that order (represented by established deities like Kubera) is challenged by disruptive forces (niśācaras under Nirṛti), implying a ruler’s duty to restrain disorder and protect prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit architectural content is absent, but Nirṛti’s mention has Vāstu resonance: in Vāstu Śāstra the southwest (Nairṛta) is a sensitive zone linked with stability and protection, so traditions often prescribe strengthening and guarding that quarter in planning.